Top 12 Current Affairs of March 31, 2013

Former Minister Raghunath Mohanty Odisha Justice and his wife, who face charges related to dowry, sent to judicial custody till April 2.

A CBI special court in Ghaziabad sentences six people to prison for three to six years in 2004-2006 Post office scam.

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, TNPCB has ordered the closure of the unit Sterlite Industries Tuticorin copper smelter following the alleged gas leak last week. This order has come after a weel when an unspecified gas seeped into the area on March 23, causing mild asphyxia, sore throat and eye irritation to many local people.

India asks Pakistan to present a full report on the circumstances surrounding the death of Chamel Singh, an Indian prisoner in a Pakistani jail. Singh, who was serving a prison sentence of five years in Kot Lakhpat Jail, had died in mysterious circumstances.

The authorities in Pakistan direct the airports across country to block the former President Pervez Musharraf to go abroad. Prior to this, the Sindh High Court issued orders that Musharraf Pakistan can not leave without the permission of the courts are hearing cases against him.

Easter was celebrated all over the world. Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day of his crucifixion. The day also marks the culmination of 50 days of fasting for the faithful.

National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has expressed concern over the increasing incidents of atrocities against caste in Punjab. Its Vice President Rajkumar Verka said that the conviction rate in these cases is only 7 percent due to the prevalence of Jathedari system in the state. It has been also alleged that money, threats and political pressures are being used to solve these cases.

World number one in Tennis, Serena Williams has won the Miami Open title for the sixth time record beating Russian Maria Sharapova 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

India has raised concerns about Saudi Arabia through its policy of reserving 10 percent of jobs for locals. The decision is likely to hit more than 3 lakh Indian workers and semi-skilled low. A significant number of these workers come from Kerala. Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamad, met Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and anxiety and conveyed India’s concerns on the issue

North Korea has said that it is entering a state of war with South Korea in the latest escalation of rhetoric against its southern neighbor and the U.S. A statement promised harsh physical actions against any provocative. North Korea has threatened almost daily attacks after being penalized for a third nuclear test last month.

Assam government has initiated the Rural Tourism Home Stay with an objective to attract more tourists in the state of Assam. Under this scheme, special places, including the largest river Island Majuli, World Heritage Kaziranga and Manas National Park, and Sivsagar Sualkuchi have been identified to establish facilities to stay home. Assam government will provide two crore rupees subsidy in the first phase. With the expansion of facilities to other places, tourists will have the opportunity to experience the rich customs and traditions of the state.

The government in Tamil Nadu says that 15,000 ponds will be excavated under Mahatma Gandhi National Scheme Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme as a part of the measures for drought relief. This would incur a cost of Rs 181 million rupees. Beneficiaries will be given training selected fish seed rearing Fisheries Department before May. In Tiruchirapalli 100 fish rearing ponds seeds and 500 fish ponds and Thanjavur 200 fish seed rearing ponds and fish ponds 1000 will be made under this scheme. Rs 12.85 million rupees has been allocated for fish farming activities in the delta districts.